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We all love our dogs and miss them when we're out of the house. But even more, our dogs miss us. Sometimes they can miss us too much. When a dog results to destructive behavior or incessant barking, these can be signs of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is one of the leading reasons why people give up their dogs. Here's how you can help your dog with separation anxiety.

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Steps

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    Never leave your dog alone for more than 8 hours. This is for your dogs health and safety. Most countries will actually have laws which limit the time a dog can be left alone to between 4 and 6 hours, which is really the optimal time.
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    Take a long walk before you leave. A tired dog will be less prone to destructive behaviour or howling.
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    Make leaving and arriving home routine and unexciting. Do not make a fuss when leaving and do not greet your dog when you come back home. This will be hard, but it can help your dog with separation anxiety.
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    Give your dog something to chew on to keep him busy while you're gone. A dog that is chewing on what it is allowed to chew on is not destroying furniture or other items and is also not barking incessantly.
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    Leave the radio or TV on. If you were home alone all day, wouldn't you want something to occupy your senses a little? They do too. Dog boredom can result in destructive behavior. The noise of a radio or TV will kill the silence and give your dog something to listen to. Other things like complicated games or similar will also be a good distraction.
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    Leave a blanket or towel that you have used in your dog's crate or where he sleeps. Your scent will help comfort the dog and will help calm him until you get home. An unwashed (but clean enough to use) blanket is best.
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    Use a pheromone spray or other similar, over-the-counter product with the same effect. There are loads of variations and brands available; sprays, plug-ins and pills. You might want to try different options before deciding.
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    Use a food/treat dispensing toy. Put the toy on the ground before you leave and don't let the dog touch it until right before you leave. As you walk out the door say the release word you use with your dog. The dog might eventually look forward to your leaving and, since it takes some time for the dog to get the treats out of the toy, it will be happy for a long while after you leave.
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    See a psychologist. If your dog has serious problems it might be a good idea to let them see a dog-psychologist, with you, of course. The training can take long, hard work, but works and will give you a happier dog.
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    Get a prescription drug. Talk to your veterinarian and see what they recommend. Most will recommend that you use the drug combined with seeing a dog-psychologist or trainer.
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Tips

  • Don't give your dog up for adoption if you really don't have to.
  • Many dogs, especially deaf ones, enjoy visual stimulation. Giving them a window to look out of can really help them relax.
  • Always consult a veterinarian if problems persist. You don't need to make an appointment in many cases; the staff should be happy to help you over the phone with suggestions. If they aren't, you need a new vet.
  • All dogs are different, and some will react differently to different treatments. Keep this in mind.

Warnings

  • Leaving your dog alone for too long is very dangerous. A bored and lonely dog might get mischievous, and chew or eat the wrong thing, so keep anything your dog might grab out of the way!

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Article Info

Categories: Canine Health

In other languages:

Español: Cómo ayudar a un perro con ansiedad por separación, Italiano: Come Aiutare un Cane con Ansia da Separazione, Português: Como Ajudar um Cão com Ansiedade de Separação, Русский: помочь собаке справиться с боязнью разлуки

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